NZ Water Quality Standards
Water Quality standards are limits set by official agencies, essentially like governments, based on scientific advice. When drinking New Zealand water or swimming in oceans, rivers or lakes, water quality standards indicate the safety of doing so.
Drinking Water
Water suppliers and other government organisations are required to monitor water quality:
- Monitor the quality of their source water at the abstraction points following drinking water safety guidelines.
- Follow compliance rules, including specific monitoring requirements for complex water supply scenarios.
- Report results of water quality monitoring to Taumata Arowai, and Taumata Arowai to provide regional councils with the results annually.
Is My Water Safe to Drink?
As a developed country, New Zealand is fortunate that most of the population has access to clean drinking water. Safe and adequate sanitation is what makes most of New Zealand drinking water drinkable.
Swimming and Recreational Use
Recreational Water Standards define the maximum concentrations of contaminants in water before it becomes risky for people and the environment. Meaning that if recreational standards are followed, beaches and lakes are safe for the community to fish in, surf in, and swim in.
Where Can I Swim?
Before going swimming, checking for up-to-date information can be crucial, especially in the warmer months. At the monitoring site level, there can be statistical uncertainty associated with each swimming category.
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Farming and Freshwater
National Environmental Standards (NES) are rules that apply to freshwater and farming. The National Environmental Standards for Freshwater (NES-F) follow NES. Still, they relate specifically to minimising activities that pose risks to the health of freshwater and freshwater ecosystems due to farming activities.
Am I Following National Environmental Standards?
National Environmental Standards (NES) include legal regulations related to farming and the freshwater environment. Introduced regulations touch on Intensive Winter Grazing (IWG), synthetic nitrogen fertiliser use, land use, stocking holding and wetlands protection. Fish passage and river standards are also touched on.
Water Quality Parameters
Learn more about our specific sensors, water quality indicators, including water changes to be aware of, what can cause changes, how to prevent water degradation, and more.
Suspended Solids
pH
Temperature
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Nitrate
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Turbidity
Conductivity
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Dissolved Oxygen
Chlorophyll
Flow Rate
The Five Sensors
Drinking Water Guidelines
New Zealand drinking water quality standards require organisations to monitor drinking water quality at the source, follow compliance rules, and report results to Taumata Arowai.
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Swimming Water Standards
Swimming water quality standards are set by official agencies based on scientific advice. They require water to contain no more than a maximum amount of contaminants to prevent risk to people.
Farming Water Compliance
Farming water compliance follows guidelines that must be followed to ensure agriculture activities are not contributing to water pollution, including maximum nutrient levels, like nitrate and phosphate.
pH
Temperature
Turbidity
Conductivity
Dissolved Oxygen
Sensor Upgrades
Drinking Water Guidelines
New Zealand drinking water quality standards require organisations to monitor drinking water quality at the source, follow compliance rules, and report results to Taumata Arowai.
Swimming Water Standards
Swimming water quality standards are set by official agencies based on scientific advice. They require water to contain no more than a maximum amount of contaminants to prevent risk to people.
Farming Water Compliance
Farming water compliance follows guidelines that must be followed to ensure agriculture activities are not contributing to water pollution, including maximum nutrient levels, like nitrate and phosphate.
Nitrate
Chlorophyll
Flow Rate
New Zealand Water Quality Guidelines
Stay up to date with New Zealand farming and freshwater-related news. As freshwater standards change, we’re committed to ever-developing new, innovative technology to help monitor water quality, which abides by government farming water regulations.
Drinking Water Guidelines
New Zealand drinking water quality standards require organisations to monitor drinking water quality at the source, follow compliance rules, and report results to Taumata Arowai.
Swimming Water Standards
Swimming water quality standards are set by official agencies based on scientific advice. They require water to contain no more than a maximum amount of contaminants to prevent risk to people.
Farming Water Compliance
Farming water compliance follows guidelines that must be followed to ensure agriculture activities are not contributing to water pollution, including maximum nutrient levels, like nitrate and phosphate.
New Zealand Water Quality Guidelines
Stay up to date with New Zealand farming and freshwater-related news. As freshwater standards change, we’re committed to ever-developing new, innovative technology to help monitor water quality, which abides by government farming water regulations.
Drinking Water Guidelines
New Zealand drinking water quality standards require organisations to monitor drinking water quality at the source, follow compliance rules, and report results to Taumata Arowai.
Swimming Water Standards
Swimming water quality standards are set by official agencies based on scientific advice. They require water to contain no more than a maximum amount of contaminants to prevent risk to people.
Farming Water Compliance
Farming water compliance follows guidelines that must be followed to ensure agriculture activities are not contributing to water pollution, including maximum nutrient levels, like nitrate and phosphate.
Our blog
The RiverWatch blog is the data centre for New Zealanders committed to monitoring and enhancing our waterways. Learn more about the water quality of New Zealand and our integral connection with the waters, and stay up to date with important news, research and developments.
The Riverwatch Blog
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